Joseph Kemp TOOLE

1851-1929

TOOLE, Joseph Kemp, a Delegate from the Territory of Montana; born in Savannah, Andrew County, Mo., May 12, 1851; attended the public schools in St. Joseph, Mo., and the Western Military Academy, Newcastle, Ky.; moved to Helena, Mont., in 1870; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1871 and commenced practice in Helena, Mont.; district attorney of the third judicial district of Montana 1872-1876; member of the Territorial house of representatives 1879-1881; member and president of the Territorial council 1881-1883; delegate to the State constitutional conventions at Helena, Mont., in 1884 and 1889; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses (March 4, 1885-March 3, 1889); did not seek renomination in 1888, having become a gubernatorial candidate; elected as the first Governor of Montana and served from November 8, 1889, until January 1, 1893; resumed the practice of law in Helena; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1892 and 1904; again elected Governor in November 1900; reelected in 1904 and served from January 7, 1901, until April 1, 1908, when he resigned on account of ill health; lived in retirement, dividing his time between his home in Helena, Mont., and San Francisco, Calif.; died in Helena, Mont., March 11, 1929; interment in Resurrection Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present